The SMART EM project is designed to look at business and market models and infrastructures that will enable sustainable and viable electric mobility. The core of the analysis focuses on the individual, in particular the impact of technological developments and dynamic pricing systems around user behavior. The research will define market and business models, as well as the design and prototype implementation of the software components of an intelligent charging, network and ICT infrastructure.

Orga Systems takes part in prestigious research program on e-Mobility
Paderborn consortium from science and industry explores electric vehicles’ future opportunities

Paderborn (Germany), 24 September 2013 – Orga Systems, a leading software vendor for real-time charging and billing solutions, with an international customer base in the telecommunications, utilities and automotive markets, is a research partner of the project SMART EM. In cooperation with strong players such as energy supplier Westfalen Weser Netz (former E.ON Westfalen Weser) and (more…)

Smart Grid Communications Node Shipments Will Surpass 133 Million by 2018 according to a report by Navigant Research.

Nodes are a key component of a smart grid network that enable connection to the network management system. Essentially they enable the monitoring of the smart power grid – how much power is used, where and by who, and they link information from smart meters in consumer homes and workplaces back to the control center.

Smart grids and power supply networks in general are seen as a key investment for the transition from combustion vehicles to electric vehicles, because:

The increased power demand on the network, generated by charging EVs

Billing and metering, in particular offering different rates to encourage people to charge during off-peak periods

Managing peak demand generally

Managing the impact of clean/renewable energy on the grid, specifically: supply fluctuations associated with Wind, Solar and ocean energy

Energy storage: using the energy storage capability of EVs that are plugged in to charge, is one possible grid storage solution, which requires smart grid capability and localised re-distribution

Spending on communications for smart grid deployments is accelerating as utilities demand more robust networks that can be leveraged for a growing (more…)

According to Southern California Edison’s recent “Charged up” report (key learnings about electric vehicles, customers and grid reliability); Only 1% of grid upgrade work was required due to additional demands EVs.

OK it’s just one report from one Utility and there are plenty of caveats, but it’s no surprise that the fears about the grids not being able to handle EVs has been, and continues to be over-stated.

“Since 2010, of all the nearly 400 upgrades we made to (or identified for) circuits that serve PEV customers, only 1 percent of that work was required due to additional power demands from PEVs. The rest of the work was required under our regular infrastructure upgrade and maintenance schedule.”

And their findings RE usage in the USA mirror those from a recent EU report on driving habits (download the EU report here), which support the view that “range anxiety” (consumer concern/objection that EVs are impractical due to a limited range), is less of an issue than it is given credit by many EV skeptics – current tech EVs have range enough for most people to use for the vast majority of their needs.

“Studies show that about 70 percent of PEV owners commute 40 miles (more…)